On Tuesday, March 12, 2013, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service will conduct their annual tornado drill, set for 9:45 a.m. The City of Richmond encourages businesses, organizations, schools and colleges, and families and individuals to practice taking cover from tornadoes by participating in this safety exercise. To start the drill, a test tornado warning will be sent by the NWS to NOAA Weather Radios. These radios will sound a tone alert and message, or flash to indicate a message, simulating what people will hear or see during an actual tornado warning. The test message then will be broadcast by many local radio and TV stations. Registration is not required, but residents are encouraged to sign up to show their support. Learn more about tornado safety, how to hold a drill, and to register, please click here .

The City’s Department of Public Works is temporarily suspending vacuum leaf collection service due to weather advisories indicating there is the potential the City may experience an accumulation of snow Thursday evening. The same equipment used for leaf collection is also used in the City’s snow removal efforts. City crews are in the process of equipping leaf collection vehicles with spreaders and snow plows in preparation of any inclement weather.   The City will update residents and media when vacuum leaf collection resumes.   For more information on city services and schedules, please visit www.RichmondGov.com .  

Participants in the Richmond Adult Drug Treatment Court will be recognized in a graduation ceremony that will feature Major Odetta Johnson, of the city of Richmond Police Department, as the keynote speaker. The ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12, at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 West Graham Road. The graduation ceremony will mark the completion of an intensive 18-month outpatient program of drug treatment, probation supervision, judicial monitoring and community service for the 11 Adult Drug Court graduates.  As one of 29 drug courts in Virginia, the Richmond Adult Drug Treatment Court monitors non-violent drug-addicted offenders with pending cases in Richmond’s Circuit Court. Volunteer participants must meet all program requirements, which include maintaining gainful employment and abstinence from drugs, alcohol and crime, to successfully complete the program. They are also required to attend regular Circuit Court Adult Drug Court hearings...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and the Mayor's Participation, Action, Communications Team (MPACT) will be holding community Richmond Government Budget Planning Session meetings to receive public input on budget priorities in creating the upcoming Fiscal Year 2014/2015 Richmond Government Budget, which will be established in May of 2013. These meetings are free and open to the public and all Richmond Residents are invited and highly encouraged to attend and participate. These Richmond Government Budget Planning Session meetings are very important in helping to identify which Richmond Government programs and services are important to Richmond residents for their neighborhoods, and the city as a whole. The meetings will include presentations, discussions and input in the following areas: Operation Service Priorities ·   Streets and sidewalks in your Neighborhood ·   Public Transportation ·   Recycling Opportunities Police and Safety Priorities ·  ...

~Goal is to fill two PODS with toys for Richmond families in need~ The 9th consecutive City of Richmond and Radio One Holiday Toy Drive culminates at the Walmart Supercenter at 2410 Sheila Lane for three consecutive days; Tuesday through Thursday, December 11 through 13. All Radio One stations will broadcast LIVE from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in front of Walmart to solicit donations of new unwrapped toys to fill two large PODS. Radio One Personalities from Kiss-FM, Ipower 92.1 and Praise 104.7 will be on hand to greet all who donate. Donations of new, unwrapped toys, books and clothing will be accepted, with the greatest need being items for children 10 and older. “I encourage all residents to take a moment to reflect on those that are less fortunate during this holiday season and donate a new unwrapped toy that will bring a smile to a child’s face this season,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. Donations will also be accepted through December 13 at any city fire station; City Hall,...

The City’s Department of Social Services is partnering with the Salvation Army to host the “Feed the Children” event today, November 7, 2012 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3300 R Street.  Selected recipients have already been identified and will receive a food and personal products box containing; a 25 pound box of food items, a 15 pound box of assorted personal care items and a small box of assorted cosmetic items. In order to obtain the items, recipients must have transportation as this is a drive through, pick-up event, bring a picture ID, the voucher and notification letter, and arrive at the specified pick-up time as detailed by their last name:    By Last Name:       A – E  9 a.m. – 10 a.m.                                     F – J   10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.                       ...

The first cycle of the city’s annual Vacuum Leaf Collection Program is set to begin on Monday, November 12.  The schedule is as follows:  Worthington Farms                     November 12 - 16 Northside/Highland Park November 12 - 23 Bellevue/Ginter Park/Washington Park November 12 - 30 Bellemeade November 19 – 23  Westover Gardens  November 19 – 30  Newtowne/Carver/Jackson Ward November 26 – 30  Broad Rock/Brookbury November 26 – December 7 The Fan/Shaffer December 3 – 7   Westover Hills/Forest Hill/Woodland Heights December 3 – 14  Museum District December 10 - 14 Church Hill/Fulton December 10 - 21 Stony Point December 10 - 21 Windsor Farm/Univ. of Richmond/Far West End December 17 – January 4 Maymont/Byrd Park/Oregon Hill/Carillon December 24 – 28 Stratford Hills/Willow Oaks December 24 – Ja...